Cranesbill species and varieties at a glance

There are a variety of cranesbills that are suitable for a wide variety of locations. We present the most beautiful geranium species and varieties.

the cranesbill (geranium) is a popular garden plant for perennial beds and planters on patios and balconies. We give an overview of the great variety geranium-Species and - Varieties.

Cranesbill Species: How Many Are There?

The genus of cranesbills includes more than 300 species that are distributed worldwide. Some species grow upright, others overhanging, creeping or cushion-like. Among the diverse growth forms, there is guaranteed to be a suitable species for every garden. After all, the cranesbill also feels at home in various habitats: from lime-loving mountain species to moor dwellers, cranesbills are extremely adaptable.

The most beautiful species and varieties of cranesbill at a glance

Among the numerous cranesbill species that are available from nurseries and in the trade, there are major differences in growth habit, flower color and location requirements. In our overview you will learn more about the most beautiful cranesbill varieties and species.

Armenian cranesbill (Geranium psilostemon)

The Armenian cranesbill grows upright and can reach a length of between 80 and 100 cm. The perennial perennial prefers fresh to moist soil in sunny to partially shaded locations. The palmately lobed leaves are deeply notched and toothed. In autumn the foliage turns bright red. The cranesbill is particularly magnificent between June and July when it bears numerous, bright magenta-colored flowers with a dark center.

• 'Ivan': Stable variety with a height of up to 70 cm and a long flowering period from June to August. The flower color is between pink and light magenta.
• 'sumela': Compact selection of the Armenian Cranesbill with a growth height of 60 - 70 cm. The flowering period extends from June to July. A second flowering in September is possible with early pruning.

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

The blood-red cranesbill, also called blood cranesbill, is a wild plant originally native to central and southern Europe. The 15 - 60 cm high plant is mainly found on dry hedges and forest edges as well as in sparse deciduous forests in warm places. The hairy leaves of the bloody cranesbill are rounded and divided into seven almost to the middle. The comparatively large flowers sit individually on axillary flower stalks and appear between June and August.

• 'Album': Cranesbill with pure white flower color. The perennials, which are up to 40 cm high, bloom between June and August. In autumn, a bright yellow autumn color develops.
• 'Apple Blossom': Younger breed with white flowers, soft pink tinge and slightly darker veins. The filigree plants of this cranesbill variety are about 20 - 30 cm high and bloom between June and August.
• 'Max Free': Cranesbill variety with hemispherical and compact growth up to 25 cm. Purple-pink flowers appear between June and August, and the foliage turns intense in autumn.
• 'Tiny Monsters': Strong-growing cranesbill variety up to 40 cm high with many small, purple flowers. The long flowering period of this low cultivar extends from June to September.

Cranesbill (Geranium phaeum)

The brown cranesbill is native to the Pyrenees, Carpathians and Balkans. Up to 70 cm tall, the upright perennials grow in shady to partially shaded locations with fresh to dry soil. They are therefore ideal for planting in difficult, shady and dry corners of the garden. Compared to other cranesbill species, the brown cranesbill flowers very early, as early as May. The delicate, brown-violet to dark red flowers are eponymous. However, there are now also varieties such as 'Album' that have white flowers. The species reproduces by self-seeding and quickly goes wild in the garden.

Rock Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum)

Also known as the Balkan cranesbill, the rock cranesbill is native to the mountainous regions of the Alps, the Carpathians and the Balkans. The rhizome-forming, mat-like cranesbill species grows to a height of around 20 – 30 cm. The rounded, lobed, grass-green foliage turns red-yellow in autumn from September. Several white to red flowers with remarkably long stamens sit on reddish stems between May and July.

• 'Spessart': White cranesbill with pink calyx. The variety is about 25 - 35 cm high and flowers from May to July.
• 'Czakor': Balkan cranesbill selection with red to pink flowers. The 30 - 40 cm high perennials bloom between May and July.

Gray cranesbill (Geranium cinereum)

The gray or ash-colored cranesbill originally comes from the Pyrenees and grows decumbent to upright. The adaptable species thrives on fresh to dry, sunny soil and is therefore also suitable for planting in steppe beds or rock gardens. The round, strongly lobed and grey-green leaves give this cranesbill species its name. Cup-shaped, white to light pink and dark-veined flowers appear between June and September.

• 'Ballerina': Cranesbill 15-20 cm high and soft pink flowers with a strong dark veining. The variety flowers from June to September and is particularly suitable for dry soils.
• 'Jolly Jewel Salmon': Special salmon red flower color and dark eye. This evergreen cranesbill variety remains very small at 10 - 15 cm and is therefore suitable as ground cover and for planting on natural stone walls.
• 'Purple Pillow': Visually very attractive geranium cultivar with gray foliage and cupped, dark purple flowers with dark veining. The flowering period of the groundcover cranesbill, which can be up to 20 cm high, extends from June to September. In autumn the foliage turns orange-red.

Caucasus cranesbill (Geranium renardii)

The Caucasus cranesbill loves dry and sunny locations, also rocky and calcareous. It forms cushion-like cushions and is only 20 - 25 cm high. This cranesbill is very popular as a ground cover in rock gardens and on poor, stony soil. The kidney-shaped leaves are grey-green and hairy, with coarse lobes. The approximately 2.5 cm wide, white, dark-veined flowers appear between June and July. The Caucasus cranesbill often spreads by self-seeding.

Little Cranesbill (Geranium pusilla)

The little cranesbill, also called dwarf cranesbill, is a native wild cranesbill species. The 15 - 30 cm high, annual to biennial plants thrive on fields, fallow land, rubble and gravel areas, along roadsides and even in cracks in the pavement. The little cranesbill is considered an indicator plant for nitrogen in the soil. The rounded leaves of this species are slightly notched. The tiny, soft pink, violet or purple flowers appear between May and October.

Magnificent cranesbill (Geranium ibericum x platetypetalum)

The magnificent cranesbill is a hybrid species and grows particularly dense and bushy to a height of up to 60 cm. The perennial perennial thrives on fresh, warm and calcareous soil in a sunny to semi-shady position. The rounded, lobed, downy leaves of the Magnificent Cranesbill turn orange-yellowish in autumn. The 4 - 5 cm large, five-petaled flowers appear from June to July and shine in blue-violet shades. The sterile hybrid species only partially produces fruit with seeds that do not ripen; instead, it spreads through runners in the bed.

• 'rosemoor': Cranesbill with compact and stable growth up to 60 cm. Blue-purple flowers with dark veins appear between June and July. Extremely adaptable variety with distinction in perennial viewing.
• 'Rozanne': Cranesbill hybrid with vigorous growth. It can be raised lying down or climbing because it develops shoots that are up to 150 cm long. The blue-violet flowers with a white center appear between June and November.

Pyrenean cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum)

The Pyrenean or Basque cranesbill is widespread in almost all of Europe and prefers to grow on roadsides and wild hedges. It reaches a height of 20 - 60 cm and forms round, paired flowers with deep-edged, violet-red petals.

Stinking cranesbill (Geranium robertianum)

The stinking cranesbill is a native wild plant that is widespread in our country and is also known as common cranesbill or Ruprechtskraut. The 15 - 40 cm high, biennial plant prefers moist, stony to rocky and shady locations. When touched, it gives off an odor that many find unpleasant. The leaves are three-fingered and roughly lobed. Between June and September, the pink-striped, small flowers of the cranesbill appear on reddish colored stems. The seeds mature in the course of autumn and are catapulted several meters out of the suddenly opening fission fruit. The Ruprecht cranesbill is still important in herbal medicine and natural cosmetics.

Swamp Cranesbill (Geranium palustre)

The common cranesbill, native to moors and meadows in Europe, reaches a height of 30 - 80 cm. The leaves have five to seven parts and are irregularly incised or serrated. The pairs of flowers are 3 - 4 cm in size and bloom between June and September. The marsh cranesbill is ideal for planting on the edges of ponds, riparian zones and wet meadows, as it can also cope well with waterlogging.

wood cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum)

The wood cranesbill is mainly found in the Alps and in the low mountain ranges. The 20 - 60 cm high plant prefers moist mountain meadows, also in the shade of trees or tall shrubs. The irregularly shaped, rather broad and deeply incised leaves are densely covered with glandular hairs. The red-purple flowers of the common cranesbill, which appear between June and August, usually sit in pairs at the end of a hairy flower stalk.

Soft cranesbill (Geranium molle)

The soft cranesbill is native to warm, permeable locations throughout Europe and develops a particularly dense, fluffy-soft hair on the stems and leaves. The plants reach a height of just 10 to a maximum of 40 cm and form small inflorescences. The soft pink flowers appear between May and September.

Meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense)

The meadow cranesbill grows upright up to 80 cm and is dependent on open areas with deep, humus-rich and sandy-loamy soil. The palmate leaves get an attractive autumn color from September. The originally soft blue, mauve flowers appear between June and July. With the meadow cranesbill, breeding has succeeded in selecting not only other flower colors, but also double and semi-double flowers.

• 'Double Jewel': Cranesbill variety with double perianth of creamy white color with a crimson eye in the centre. The plants grow up to 40 cm high and bloom from June to August.
• 'laura': Double meadow cranesbill with pure white flowers. The 60 cm high perennials bloom between June and August.
• 'Midnight Rider': Cranesbill up to 50 cm high with violet-blue flowers between May and July. The dark brown to bronze-colored leaves are rich in contrast and are suitable as ornaments.
• 'Summer Skies': Cranesbill with soft violet to pink, double flowers. The variety reaches a height of 60 cm and flowers between June and August.

After choosing the right variety, it's time for that Planting and caring for Cranesbill. We give important tips on planting time, care measures and propagation.